Jack Candy-Kemp’s sophisticated take on Punk art
My first encounter with Jack Candy-Kemp's work came at his solo ”Nothing To Write Home About,” held at New House Gallery in Guildford. The gallery walls were filled with a collection of A4-sized paintings. At first glance, they seemed photographic or realistic, something that he hates to hear, as that’s far from what he is painting. However, when I looked closer I noticed a deliberate play with perspective. The foreground and the background seemed to constantly shift, creating a state of unease within the layout and composition. To be honest, I didn’t initially perceive this as a stylistic choice. In my naivety, I wondered if perhaps the paintings had been rushed. Spoiler - I was wrong!
Another interesting thing about the exhibition was Candy-Kemp’s attempt to imitate low-quality aesthetic of digital cameras and camera phones. Through this, he wanted to bring awareness and beauty in the often overlooked and mundane — such as shacks and old bus stops. A punk and a kind of anti-influencer outlook to the world of easy digital photography and holiday snaps.
Fortunately, I managed to chat with Candy-Kemp. My first question, I’ll admit, was a little blunt: “What makes your work Punk?” I unintentionally caught him off guard. He explained how this collection explores the mundane world around him whilst on holiday in Central America. He also explained the deliberate use of wonky lines and skewed perspectives as a rebellion against the traditions, the purist ideal of beauty, and established techniques. It made sense when he mentioned that he worked as a stage or backdrop artist for over a decade, and developed a desire to break free from the rules in his art.
Candy-Kemp is not just an artist and painter, he also writes poetry. This means he doesn't look at the world through one particular lens. His artistic cravings fuel a unique vision that, at times, is unconventional. It’s refreshing to see punk art that dives deeper than shock value. Candy-Kemp’s work is sophisticatedly rebellious, with a deep understanding of traditional art forms and those that came before him. Jack Candy-Kemp's work is not crooked but rather sophisticatedly punk with a rebellious nature.
All photos from Jack Candy-Kemp on Instagram
Words by Roxana Hooti